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The Candidates on Crime & Punishment
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Being perceived as tough on crime has become essential for all politicians, including presidential candidates. Still, traditional disagreements linger. Democrats talk more about drug treatment programs and other preventive policies, while Republicans emphasize the need for harsher sentences and more prisons. All presidential candidates agree that the death penalty is an effective deterrent in some circumstances.
The Candidates on Crime & Punishment
Clinton
Dole
Supported and signed into law the Omnibus Crime Act of 1994 (Clinton crime bill), which includes these provisions:
- Bans semiautomatic assault weapons.
- Expands federal death penalty to cover approximately 60 offenses, including terrorist homicides and murder of a federal law enforcement officer.
- Requires states to register violent sex offenders.
- Imposes mandatory life imprisonment for federal offenders with three or more convictions for violent felonies or drug trafficking.
- Authorized more than $8 billion in grants to states and localities to hire more police officers.
- Authorized more than $8 billion in grants to states and localities to build prisons and "boot camp" facilities.
- Authorized more than $380 million for prison drug treatment programs.
- Supports death penalty.
- Supports minimal federal involvement in criminal justice issues.
- Supports giving federal block grants to states to spend on whatever anticrime measures they decide they need.
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Crime & Punishment Resources Online
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Photo Credits: handcuffs by Susan May Tell/Saba,
electric chair by Tony Savine/JB Pictures